Carbon and Molecular Diversity of Life

Question 1

Define organic chemistry

Answer 1

The study of organic compounds which are those that consist of carbon

Question 2

What about carbon makes it such a versatile element creating diversity between organisms and their organic molecules?

Answer 2

Carbon is an element which expands the limited variety of organic molecules as it’s ability to form 4 different bonds with different atoms

Question 3

What are the 6 major elements of life?

Answer 3

CHONSP
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Sulphur
- Phosphorus

Question 4

What are the 4 main organic bonding partners of carbon atoms

Answer 4

CHON

Question 5

What organic molecule consists of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms angled towards all four corners?

Answer 5

Methane

Question 6

What organic molecule does the chemical formula C2H6 stand for

Answer 6

Ethane

Question 7

what organic molecule is C2H4 double bond between the carbon atoms

Answer 7

Ethene

Question 8

What is urea?

Answer 8

Urea is an organic molecule found in urine which consists of one singular carbon atom

Question 9

What are 4 different variations of the carbon skeleton?

Answer 9

1) may vary in length
2) may vary in position of double bond
3) may branch
4) may for a ring like structure

Question 10

Describes the characteristics of hydrocarbons

Answer 10

• hydrophobic
• undergo reactions which release large amounts of energy
  Example: Phospholipid tails

Question 11

What are isomers?

Answer 11

Isomers are organic compounds with the same number of molecules yet different structures and properties

Question 12

What are the three types of isomers and explain how?

Answer 12

1) structural isomers: have the same number of molecules though are structurally and covalently arranged different

2) cis-trans isomers: cis and tans isomers are those which vary in their arrangement surrounding a double bond between 2 carbon atoms.

cis isomer: the x atoms are on the same side and the hydrogen atoms are on the same side

trans isomer: the x atoms are on opposite sides and therefore so are the hydrogen atoms

3) Enantiomers: The arrangement of molecules surrounding an asymmetrical carbon atom. Mirror image

L Enantiomer: left-sided arrangement

D Enantiomer: right-sided arranment

Question 13

Why are Enantiomers important in the pharmaceutical industry?

Answer 13

Enantiomers are similar to left and right gloves which may only fit their designated hands. Of both L and D enantiomers only one isomer may be considered biologically active as for only thats specific arrangement may bind to certain molecules. In terms of medication certain enantiomers may not effect the body as effectively as the other or may cause an undesired effect on the body.

Question 14

How is the chemical group attatched to a carbon skeleton important?

Answer 14

The chemical group changes the structure and function of a molecule

Question 15

What are the seven most important functional groups in biological processes?

Answer 15

1) Hydroxyl
2) Carbonyl
3) Carboxyl
4) Amino
5) Sulfhydrl
6) Phosphate
7) Methane

Question 16

Completely describe the hydroxyl group

Answer 16

Hydroxyl group (-OH) or (HO-)
- Hydrophilic (polar)
- helps dissolves compounds like sugars
- compound names usually end in (“ol”) such as alcohol or ethanol

Question 17

Completely describe the carbonyl group

Answer 17

Carbonyl group (>C=O)
- hydrophilic (polar)
- those compounds in which the carbonyl group is found within the carbon skeleton are known as ketone
- those in which the carbonyl group is found at the end of the carbon skeleton are referred to as aldehyde

Question 18

Completely describe the carboxyl group

Answer 18

Carboxyl group (-COOH)
- very polar
- Hydrophilic
- Acts as a proton donor (H+ donor) as for such polarity between hydrogen and oxygen
- Compound may be called carboxyl acid or organic acid

Question 19

Completely describe the Amino group

Answer 19

Amino Group (-NH2)
- hydrophilic
- acts like a base
- compound name is amine

Question 20

Completely describe the sulfhydryl group

Answer 20

Sulfhydryl Group (-SH)
- Hydrophobic (non-polar)
- known to create cross-links which maintain the protein structure of hair
- the compound name is thiol

Question 21

Completely describe the Phosphate group

Answer 21

Phosphate Group (-OPO3^2-)
- Hydrophilic (polar)
- contribute a negative charge of 1 when attached in the middle of the carbon skeleton
- contributes a negative charge of 2 when attached to the end of the carbon skeleton
- confers molecules which the functional group is attached to, the ability to react with water and release energy
- compound can be called organic phosphate

Question 22

Completely describe the Methyl group

Answer 22

Methyl Group (-CH3)
- effects the expression of genes when attached to DNA
- effects the shape and function of male and female sex hormones

Question 23

What organic molecules is ATP made up of?

Answer 23

1 adenosine molecule + 3 phosphate groups (organic phosphates)